Warriors reflect on successful baseball season

By Chris SingletonStaff Writer

Friday

May 11, 2018 at 8:16 PMMay 11, 2018 at 8:16 PM

Houma Christian School’s baseball team fell short of its goal to win a Division IV state championship title this year.

No. 4 Houma Christian ended its season with a heartbreaking 6-5 loss to No. 1 St. John of Plaquemine in the Division IV state semifinal round playoffs at McMurry Park in Sulphur on Wednesday. The Eagles used a bloop single by Landon LeBlanc in the bottom of the seventh inning to pick up the walkoff win.

Despite the crushing loss, Houma Christian’s coaches, players and fans are still cherishing and celebrating every moment of the team’s successful season this year.

The Warriors finished with a 26-11 overall record. It set a school-record for the most wins in a season. They also punched a ticket in the state baseball tournament for the third time in school history (2008, 2017 and 2018).

First-year Houma Christian head baseball coach Stephen Martinez, who took over the program when former head coach and current athletic director Chuck Battaglia stepped aside to focus on other roles at the school, said it was a memorable season.

“It was satisfying,” Martinez said. “I wish we could’ve come out with the win on Wednesday, but that’s baseball. Some things just don’t fall in your lap sometimes.”

Martinez said the Warriors were blessed to have an eight-member senior class leading the way this season, including Gavin Dugas, McCade LeBlanc, Dylan Trahan, William Bergeron, Dalton Durkes, Brock Theriot, Mason Zeringue and Alex Hebert.

From the first team meeting of the season, Martinez said the seniors set goals for themselves and worked hard throughout the year to achieve it. They often practiced up to six and sometimes seven days a week to improve.

“We didn’t take many days off because they had a goal in mind. These guys wanted it so badly,” Martinez said. “Obviously every single team wants it badly, but whenever you know that you have that group that has been together for as long as this group has been, it was something special to watch. To be able to go to practice with them every single day and see them work was the best time of my life. I think the success we had this season was a reflection of all the hard work they’ve put in.”

Battaglia said he was proud to see the Houma Christian seniors enjoy a successful season to cap their high school careers.

“When we saw this group coming up, we knew they were going to be special. It was good to see them accomplish the things they were able to accomplish,” Battaglia said. “To watch these kids grow and develop from eighth and ninth grade on up through the years and see the maturity and leadership skills that they possess is amazing. The things they achieved on the baseball field were great, but the character of these young men will lead them to great things in life.”

Battaglia also praised the work of Martinez and Houma Christian assistant coaches Josh Constant and Butch Theriot for leading the team this season.

“Our coaches did an exceptional job coaching these guys and developing them through the years,” Battaglia said. “I love watching them. Our program is in good hands. I know they are going to be able to continue to mold these young guys not only good baseball players but good men.”

Dugas, who will continue his baseball career at LSU, said he enjoyed every moment of playing with the Warriors.

“It’s very emotional to move on. I’ve played with these guys every day. I’ve worked hard and practiced with them. I love them with all my heart,” Dugas said. “It’s been a long road, but this is it. We’re just going to take it how it goes and move on. I believe every senior here is going to have a successful career moving forward. It was an honor to be a part of this program and represent it as much as I could.”

Brock Theriot, who has committed to play baseball as a pitcher at Southeastern Louisiana University, said the season didn’t end how they wanted it, but they are proud of their accomplishments.

“It was a great year,” Theriot said. “A lot of us set goals for ourselves. We did a great job of accomplishing many of those goals. I accomplished the goals I’ve set for myself and I’m looking forward to my career in baseball in the future.”

Martinez said it will be difficult to replace a talented senior class, but he believes the younger players learned a lot from watching the older guys play at the state tournament in Sulphur during the last two seasons.

“Most of these guys have been there the last two years,” Martinez said. “They’ve seen the atmosphere and all the hard work that it takes to be able to get there. It was a battle in the last two years to make it there. I think they know as a team what it’s going to take to be able to get to that point next year. We’ll try to make another run next year and get us a ring.”

Trahan, a senior catcher who has committed to Mississippi Delta Community College, said he believes next year’s Houma Christian team will continue to build off of the team’s success.

“I’m going to pull hard for these guys next year,” Trahan said. “I think they are going to be good. It’s not over for these boys. I know they will be back. I have confidence in them. They are going to do big things. I know it.”

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